My Uncle Paul was the kind of guy people were drawn to. Although he towered over most everyone, there was a gentleness and kindness around him. 
My childhood memories of Uncle Paul are sparse because we moved around so much but the ones I do have are vivid. 
He was the Uncle who would push me so high on the swing set that I was certain I could touch the clouds. I remember my Grandma Rita hollering at him not to let us go so high but he would just grin and keep pushing as my sisters and I giggled away.
Paul was the Uncle that would sit you in his lap in the front seat of the car and let you take the wheel. I remember many trips down the alley behind my Grandparents house "learning to drive" at 7 years old. 🥰
He was also the Uncle who always seemed to have fireworks. Whenever we'd come for a visit, he would bring out the sparklers. That was a BIG deal in Arizona in the 70's!

I moved to Tucson to attend college and that's when Paul and I became friends. I'd visit the office where he and Uncle Bill worked and we'd go for lunch and have great talks. We didn't always agree but that didn't matter. He looked out for me when it came to boys too! He was suspicious of all of them ☺️

When I think of Scripture and my Uncle Paul I automatically go to Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…

I will miss his laughter the most!

Uncle Paul was always great with kids, and young boys especially, since he was always a boy at heart.  One particular memory that always makes me smile is one time when we came down to visit from Mesa when my oldest son, Tristan, was a toddler.

While the rest of us adults were sitting at the kitchen table playing board games, Paul had taken Tristan into the back room to play with his Dad's old nickel slot machine he kept back there.  He'd lifted up Tristan, who was in his diaper, stood him on the edge of the table where the machine was, handed him nickels to play the machine, and him shout out "Ein, svi, dri" in German each time before he pulled the handle.

He was always so much fun to be around.  :-)

Where do I even begin. So many memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Some of my favorites were fishing, camping, flattening change on the railroad tracks, playing in the washes after monsoons, to winning a $250 bingo scratcher ticket. He always would split the winnings with me.  

My uncle always made sure I had what I needed. He bought me my first prom dress, and always made sure I had money to get my nails done. He was the only man I knew that would gladly sit and read a book in the nail salon while I got them done. Many times he discussed how the ventilation sucked in those places and how he was sure he could improve it. 

Ill never forget the New Years party at their house where he took Aunt Marys champagne when she wasn't looking and told Rita and I to go hide and drink it. Aunt Mary knew she put it down but went and searched for it. Never to discover us girls had already drank it. Hahaha.  

New Years 2000 (the end of the world) he snuck outside right at midnight and flipped the breaker box right as the ball dropped and freaked everyone out. 

At the old house where he started to dig a huge tunel in the backyard to make an underground playhouse. It never got finished and to be completely honest I dont remember why he stopped but I think he ran into the septic tank if I can recall right. Ahh the memories with him. 

He taught me a lot throughout the years.

He always had the biggest heart. Always helping those in need.

 I wish he could be here to watch my oldest son Markiz graduate, and watch all my kids grow older. I know he is watching over us, but his presence will be greatly missed. 

I love you Uncle Paul. Your warm heart and sarcastic ass will be entirely missed. ❤

I worked with Paul for almost 30 years. He was the only person I have ever met that would do anything for anyone and ask nothing in return. He had the biggest heart and would help complete strangers on the street and think nothing of it. There was probably not a day in his life that he wasn't doing something for someone else.  He was a good man.

One of my favorite memories is crossing the  stage to receive my degree, and hearing the loudest cheers of support coming from such a rowdy and absolutely wonderful family filling the stands. Everyone made it out, and it was special. 

Dad didn't like to travel, but he made it out with his pal Paul, and they helped shake the room with their cheers! 

Dad's favorite place for cheese enchilada's with his best pal, Paul  Pavelich was a Tucson classic. One night we all head out to Club 21 for chips, salsa, outstanding Mexican food, and powerful margaritas! 

Ron and Dad at the 2007 Speak Easy Party contributed by Mary Mauler. Thank you, Mary!

From Dad, when I shared my favorite picture of he and Mom together, he shared this one and reminded me it is 41 years together next month!

Looking like a rough rider, Dad knew how to put on a classic Tucsonan look. 

I first became acquainted with Uncle Paul Nelson when I was a boy of 7.  As a kid, I always found him kind, funny, fun to be around, and always ready to get into an adventure with us young boys.

When I came to live in Arizona as an adult, Uncle Paul was always generous and welcoming to me, my wife, and our two sons, who both adored him.  He was always there for me and mine during some truly lean and difficult days of early married life.  Whether it was having us down for holidays, filling up the inflatable pool on the front patio for my boys, driving all the way to Eloy to help me change a flat tire, or taking us to Tania's for tamales, Paul was always great to the Barron family.  

We loved him dearly and will miss him always, and give our deepest condolences to Mary, Jess, Luke, Jake, and to all his other family.  The world is a darker place without him.

Dad always had such an amazing sense of humor. He'd find a way to make you get a real deep belly laugh, even if you were shaking your head as you were doing it. We love him so much, and he left us with so many cherished memories and stories that share the experiences of his life. He taught us all how to work hard, how to tell a joke, and how be there for friends and family. 

The photo below was from a surprise party for Mom on January 4th. I told him this was one of my favorite photos of Mom and him together. It was such a fun night!

We love you and miss you, Dad. 



I met Uncle Paul on a family visit when I was ten. He was friendly and fun to be around. He will be sorely missed by all who know him. I know he is in the Lord's hands now and I know Heavenly Father will take good care of him.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Aunt Mary, Jesse, Luke and Jacob.

My memories of Paul always came as comments and stories from Mary. I can't count how often I heard about Paul and the boys and the joy they always brought to Mary. I especially recall the joy of her recent birthday dinner with Paul and the great gathering of family and friends that he organized to come together. And the Halloween tradition of  carving all those pumpkins!! I hope these memories are the ones that always stay fresh in your heart.

My prayers and condolences are with you as you celebrate this wonderful husband, father, uncle, brother, in-law and friend. Sing with the angels, Paul, until we see you again.

Paul was two years younger than me, growing up we were very close even though he  teased me endlessly. One of my fondest memories of my brother was he was excellent at doing Disney character voices, and he loved entertaining children; it was wonderful to see a grown man enjoy playing with the little kids so much. He always made sure they had pool toys and squirt guns. I will miss his smile and laughter, it could light up a room because of the twinkles in his eyes. 

OBITUARY

Paul Andrew Nelson

September 26, 1956 – January 16, 2020

East Lawn Palms Mortuary & Cemetery

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